Heated mattress



Dec. 15, i931. F a DUNBAR '1,837,117

' HEATED k MA'IfJJREss Filed May 3l, 1930 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Der.. 15, 1931 UNITED STATES.

PAULINE S. DUNBAB, OF AUGUSTA, GEORGIA HEATED MATTRESS Apbiieation mea nay 31, 19am.` serial No. 458,230.

This invention relates to mattresses and has as its primary object to provide a mattress embodying an electrically controlled heating means whereby mattresses may be kept at a desired temperature while in use.

While various heating lmeans have been .designed for use in connection with mattress'- es, chair cushions, etc., such devices ordinarily present the disadvantage that they embody mechanical elements which are liable to cause wearing away of the filling and covering of the mattress, at any time, or such heating means or devices have embodied elements liable to cause short circuits which would result in firing of the mattress, and therefore the present invention contemplates the provision of an lelectrical heating means which will present none of the disadvantages above outlined and which may be employed for a long period of time without requiring anyl attention or repairs, and likewise the invention contemplates a heating means of such characterthat it will not cause any wear on the filling or covering of the mattress.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and specifically pointed out in the appended claims, it being understoodof course that minor changes may be made so long as'they fall within the scope of the claims.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure l is a plan view of a mattress constructed in accordance with the present invention, a part of the covering and filling being broken away to better illustrate the arrangement of the heating unit.

Figure 2 is aview lin side elevation of the mattress. 1

Figure 3 is a schematic view illustrating i, Vthe arrangement of the electrical resistance heating unit of the invention, and the means forV controlling the supply ofcurrent-thereto.

lFigure 4 is a fragmentary vertical seclhtional view, in, detail, illustrating the manner in which the heating unit is arranged within the filling of the mattress.

The device of the present invention is adapted for-embodiment in any mattress of the ordinary type including the usual filling which is indicated in the drawings by the numeral lA and the usual covering indicated by the numeral 2. Arranged between the filling and covering are two layers indicated by the numeral 3, one of the layers of asbestos or other insulating material, the other layer of felt or other material to hold heat and distribute it uniformly to the surface of the mattress, and the electrical resistance heating unit of the invention is arranged between these layers. Preferably two of the units will be employedY as shown in Figures l and 3 of the drawings, so that, due to the arrangement of the units in the manner shown in the said figures, either or both of the units may be supplied with current, one unit being so arranged within the mattress as to heat the head end of the mattress and the other being so arranged in the mattress as to heat the foot end of the mattress. Each of the electrical resistance heating units comprises a plurality of coils or windings 4, and these coils are supported, by cross straps il between the upper and lower plies which are indicated by the numeral 5, it being understood, that in the preferredl embodiment of the invention, in which embodiment two sets of the units are employed at each side of the mattress so that the mattress may be turned over and either side thereof' used, as desired.

At this point it will be understood that the coils which comprise the units l, are so housed within the mattress as not to in any way come in contact with either the filling or the covering of the mattress, and inasmuch as the bottom one of the layers 5 is of asbestos, the top layer is of felt or other material to hold heat and evenly distribute 'and transfer it to the surface of the mattress.

Preferably, as shown in Figure t, two sets of heating units 4 will be employed so that the mattress may be, as before stated, turned over when this is desired, and the heating units which are then uppermost, may be supplied with current to the exclusion of the other heating units. The coils are connected in series with one another throughout each unit and the two units are likewise connected in series and with conductor wires 6 which lead to sockets 7 which are mounted, in any suitable manner, in one side of the mattress, preferably midway between the head and foot ends thereof, thus providing for the connection of a flexible conductor in circuit with the units, and if desired the conductor wires may be led, as shown in Figure 3, so that one of the sockets 7 may be located at each side' of the mattress. The coils of the units are connected with the conductor wires 6 by Wires 8 and a switch 9 of any compact and small type such for example as the two button type may be placed in circuit vwith the wires 8. If desired, a thermostat 10 may be interposed into the circuit for each of the electrical resistance heating units. A filling- 11 of felt is preferably provided between the plies 5 and the covering 2.

What I claim is f l. A mattress comprising filling material, y

an asbestos sheet bearing against said material, an electrical resistance heating unit in the form of a manifold laid upon the asbestos sheet, a sheet of felt laid upon saidunit, straps located between said sheets/and attached thereto at points between the folds of the heating unit and disposed transversely across said folds and a covering enclosing said assemblage. Y

2. A mattress comprising filling material, an asbestos sheet bearing against said material, an electrical resistance heatingunt in the form of a manifold laid upon the asbestos sheet, a thermostat included in said unit, a sheet of felt laid upon said unit, straps located between said sheets and attached thereto at points between the folds of the heating unit and disposed transversely across said folds and a covering enclosing said assemblage. l P

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature.

PAULINE S. DUNBAR;

. Leann? 

